90 Glossary: The Reproductive System
Glossary
alveoli (of the breast) milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland
ampulla (of the uterine tube) middle portion of the uterine tube in which fertilization often occurs
antrum fluid-filled chamber that characterizes a mature tertiary (antral) follicle
areola highly pigmented, circular area surrounding the raised nipple and containing areolar glands that secrete fluid important for lubrication during suckling
Bartholin’s glands (also, greater vestibular glands) glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as the greater vestibular glands
blood–testis barrier tight junctions between Sertoli cells that prevent bloodborne pathogens from gaining access to later stages of spermatogenesis and prevent the potential for an autoimmune reaction to haploid sperm
body of uterus middle section of the uterus
broad ligament wide ligament that supports the uterus by attaching laterally to both sides of the uterus and pelvic wall
bulbourethral glands (also, Cowper’s glands) glands that secrete a lubricating mucus that cleans and lubricates the urethra prior to and during ejaculation
cervix elongate inferior end of the uterus where it connects to the vagina
clitoris (also, glans clitoris) nerve-rich area of the vulva that contributes to sexual sensation during intercourse
corpus albicans nonfunctional structure remaining in the ovarian stroma following structural and functional regression of the corpus luteum
corpus cavernosum either of two columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during an erection
corpus luteum transformed follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone
corpus spongiosum (plural = corpora cavernosa) column of erectile tissue in the penis that fills with blood during an erection and surrounds the penile urethra on the ventral portion of the penis
ductus deferens (also, vas deferens) duct that transports sperm from the epididymis through the spermatic cord and into the ejaculatory duct; also referred as the vas deferens
ejaculatory duct duct that connects the ampulla of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle at the prostatic urethra
endometrium inner lining of the uterus, part of which builds up during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and then sheds with menses
epididymis (plural = epididymides) coiled tubular structure in which sperm start to mature and are stored until ejaculation
fimbriae fingerlike projections on the distal uterine tubes
follicle ovarian structure of one oocyte and surrounding granulosa (and later theca) cells
folliculogenesis development of ovarian follicles from primordial to tertiary under the stimulation of gonadotropins
fundus (of the uterus) domed portion of the uterus that is superior to the uterine tubes
gamete haploid reproductive cell that contributes genetic material to form an offspring
glans penis bulbous end of the penis that contains a large number of nerve endings
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) hormone released by the hypothalamus that regulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland
gonads reproductive organs (testes in men and ovaries in women) that produce gametes and reproductive hormones
granulosa cells supportive cells in the ovarian follicle that produce estrogen
hymen membrane that covers part of the opening of the vagina
infundibulum (of the uterine tube) wide, distal portion of the uterine tube terminating in fimbriae
inguinal canal opening in abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity
isthmus narrow, medial portion of the uterine tube that joins the uterus
labia majora hair-covered folds of skin located behind the mons pubis
labia minora thin, pigmented, hairless flaps of skin located medial and deep to the labia majora
lactiferous ducts ducts that connect the mammary glands to the nipple and allow for the transport of milk
lactiferous sinus area of milk collection between alveoli and lactiferous duct
Leydig cells cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce testosterone; a type of interstitial cell
mammary glands glands inside the breast that secrete milk
menarche first menstruation in a pubertal female
menses shedding of the inner portion of the endometrium out though the vagina; also referred to as menstruation
menses phase phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrial lining is shed
menstrual cycle approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the uterus consisting of a menses phase, a proliferative phase, and a secretory phase
mons pubis mound of fatty tissue located at the front of the vulva
Müllerian duct duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal female reproductive structures
myometrium smooth muscle layer of uterus that allows for uterine contractions during labor and expulsion of menstrual blood
oocyte cell that results from the division of the oogonium and undergoes meiosis I at the LH surge and meiosis II at fertilization to become a haploid ovum
oogenesis process by which oogonia divide by mitosis to primary oocytes, which undergo meiosis to produce the secondary oocyte and, upon fertilization, the ovum
oogonia ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during female fetal development to form primary oocytes
ovarian cycle approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the ovary consisting of a follicular phase and a luteal phase
ovaries female gonads that produce oocytes and sex steroid hormones (notably estrogen and progesterone)
ovulation release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary
ovum haploid female gamete resulting from completion of meiosis II at fertilization
penis male organ of copulation
perimetrium outer epithelial layer of uterine wall
polar body smaller cell produced during the process of meiosis in oogenesis
prepuce (also, foreskin) flap of skin that forms a collar around, and thus protects and lubricates, the glans penis; also referred as the foreskin
primary follicles ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells
primordial follicles least developed ovarian follicles that consist of a single oocyte and a single layer of flat (squamous) granulosa cells
proliferative phase phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium proliferates
prostate gland doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra and contributing fluid to semen during ejaculation
puberty life stage during which a male or female adolescent becomes anatomically and physiologically capable of reproduction
rugae (of the vagina) folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth
scrotum external pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes
secondary follicles ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and multiple layers of granulosa cells
secondary sex characteristics physical characteristics that are influenced by sex steroid hormones and have supporting roles in reproductive function
secretory phase phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium secretes a nutrient-rich fluid in preparation for implantation of an embryo
semen ejaculatory fluid composed of sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
seminal vesicle gland that produces seminal fluid, which contributes to semen
seminiferous tubules tube structures within the testes where spermatogenesis occurs
Sertoli cells cells that support germ cells through the process of spermatogenesis; a type of sustentacular cell
sperm (also, spermatozoon) male gamete
spermatic cord bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes; contains ductus deferens
spermatid immature sperm cells produced by meiosis II of secondary spermatocytes
spermatocyte cell that results from the division of spermatogonium and undergoes meiosis I and meiosis II to form spermatids
spermatogenesis formation of new sperm, occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes
spermatogonia (singular = spermatogonium) diploid precursor cells that become sperm
spermiogenesis transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa during spermatogenesis
suspensory ligaments bands of connective tissue that suspend the breast onto the chest wall by attachment to the overlying dermis
tertiary follicles (also, antral follicles) ovarian follicles with a primary or secondary oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a fully formed antrum
testes (singular = testis) male gonads
theca cells estrogen-producing cells in a maturing ovarian follicle
uterine tubes (also, fallopian tubes or oviducts) ducts that facilitate transport of an ovulated oocyte to the uterus
uterus muscular hollow organ in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus
vagina tunnel-like organ that provides access to the uterus for the insertion of semen and from the uterus for the birth of a baby
vulva external female genitalia
Wolffian duct duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal male reproductive structures